Rent hunting story in Manly, Sydney

It has been 5 days now we r in Sydney, and we still couldn't find a nice place to stay. i feel so frustrated, we keep searching and looking and walking around Manly, looking for any lease/rent/room available signs but the result still ZERO. It isn't as easy as finding a Hotel room where u can book it in internet, pay it with credit card and done. it is depends on the owner who decide to who she/he gives their place, if they like you then perhaps you can get the place. we just got here with no job, it's hard to compete with those professional officers who also looking for a place to stay. 

Manly beach is the most expensive place to live in Australia, it makes sense because it is so beautiful just like Mission beach or any other beach in San Diego. They land is ridiculously expensive, they sell the view and the location. the rent for a week in manly cost the same as to rent so much better apartment for a month in any other big cities in Australia, so basically we pay 4x higher. As some people say; u get what you pay, it is so true. (Everything is expensive here anyway, example; a small bottle of water can cost $3-4)

we r staying at BJ's house, kevin friend. we take over Turner's (other friend) room for a week (hoping within a week we find a place to live so Turner wont sleep in the couch ). such a small house but it is in the heart of Manly, 5 minutes walk to the beach and bay, 20 minutes ferry to the city. anyway, summer hits soon and tourists start to come from all over the world and looking for accommodation. the price of the rent goes up and very difficult to find (we should have came earlier). 

we haven't even open our suitcase yet, i wish i could go back to San Diego. i just spent a whole summer in USA, a powerful country that gives the best service ever (coz here in Sydney, the service isn't good, don't expected to have another fork if it falls on the ground coz u have to get it urself otherwise u eat with your hands), delicious and cheap food, reasonable rent price, friendly people, etc. or perhaps i was just been too spoil, living in a long vacation and in USA, the country than most everything can get as long as u get money. 

i should have gone to Sydney first and US, then i wont be this shock/spoil. Shea told me Sydney is expensive but never tell me how ridiculously expensive Manly is, not only the rent but also the food. San Diego is costly but at least the food is cheap, as i love to eat and cook. 

Yes we haven't been anywhere but Manly, not yet:). Johnny D, BJ, Miho, Ashly, Scuba, etc etc i heard about them, Shea told me but i finally met them. They all are nice. unlike his friend in East cost and West cost  (they've known each other for long time and share story together, ups an downs of each life from zero to hero:)) these people (younger than him) are sort of those he hangs out and party with and have a great fun, except Johnny D (his good friend who did travel together). 

Yesterday, johnny D took us to a long hiking to the hill overview Manly and Sydney, It was beautiful.... the beach and bay were packed with people, family picnic, snorkelling, surfing, Manly became so crowded and people everywhere. Shea's friends came (just like in Boston and San Diego, they all glad to see him back); Scuba brought his 4 months baby and wife, Ashly and Kade (i should have met them in Bali but i didn't), BJ, Miho, Turner, Johnny D n some other friends.  we sat in Manly bay, drank and talked. it was good. at least i have some new friends. 

This is going to be tough, Shea told me n i knew it. but we r going to be OK eventually, he will find a nice job and we will find a nice decent apartment so our friends and family can come and stay. it takes time but it eventually happens. i believe SO:) and then perhaps when i stop travelling i would might have to stop writing this Blog.